Clutter is a big problem and getting rid of it can be even more difficult. One of the best ways to control clutter is to just stop it from coming into your home. There are three easy tricks to help stop clutter from coming into your home. If you follow them, you should see a drastic reduction in the amount of clutter in your space.
Unsubscribe and Go Paperless
This sounds like something you do with your email, but it can also be done with papers flowing into your home from your mailbox. Being an organization geek, I love to get my mail and go through it everyday. Most people don’t feel that way. So if you want to reduce the paper clutter from the daily mail you have to get off mailing lists and go paperless. Here is how to reduce different types of mail clutter. It may take a bit of work, but it will be worth it as you see less mail flowing into your home.
Magazines
Not reading them? Don’t renew them or call and cancel them.
Catalogs
Call the company and ask to be taken off their mailing list.
Mail Inserts
If you have a friendly post man or post woman go talk to them. Explain to them that you would rather not have them deliver ads and coupons to your mailbox anymore. They may be happy to oblige you.
Bills
Log onto your account or call the company and ask to go paperless. You will then be sent bills in your email. Only do this if you know you will remember to pay the bill from the email.
Just Say No
I think for some people clutter can be addicting, so it is kind of appropriate to tell you to just say no. This means you have to say no to people in your life that constantly want to give you stuff just fills your home with clutter. You have to tell people that you don’t want items they offer you. It is okay to say no to hand me downs, furniture, or other items you don’t want from others. Your friends or family probably have the best of intentions but at some point you have to speak up politely and refuse to take the stuff they are getting rid of.
Stick Only to Your List
This is so difficult to do, especially if you have kids. When you shop you have to commit to buying only what is on your list. No splurges in the dollar spot at certain large retail stores. This means not only controlling the impulses of your child, but yourself as well. Try to avoid shopping when you are hungry, tired or stressed. I know when I am hungry and shopping I buy way more junk than we need.
These three steps to banish clutter seem easy at first, but they can actually be difficult to follow through with. The first one takes some time and patience, the second one requires a bit of courage and the third one requires strong willpower and impulse control. Once you start following these three steps you will be amazed at how much you enjoy the reduced flow of clutter and the increased money in your pocket.
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